Connect & ServeA brighter tomorrow

Aldea Choacorral, San Lucas Sacatepéquez

The house that raised 1,050 kids is half paid off.

Hogar Luz de María has been taking in children since 2004. Dinora Palacios started it, and with help from donors, we helped her buy the building it runs in. We help keep the shelves stocked, and we're raising money to pay the building off and fix it up.

Give to the orphanage What we do there
2004The year Dinora Palacios opened the doors
45Children it can care for at once
0–7The ages they take in
1,050+Children cared for since it opened
Caring for one of the youngest children at Hogar Luz de María
Caring for one of the youngest at the home

In their own words

“Somos una asociación no gubernamental, sin fines de lucro, comprometida con la niñez que ha sido vulnerada en sus derechos humanos, brindándoles abrigo, protección y atención integral.”

“We're a non-governmental, non-profit association committed to children whose human rights have been violated, giving them shelter, protection, and complete care.”

Hogar de Niños Luz de María

Our part in it

We show up with what runs out.

Beds and stoves are what we're known for in Yalú. At the orphanage the need looks different. A house with dozens of small children in it burns through the ordinary things faster than donations replace them.

So that's what we bring, and we bring it on the trips we're already making.

  • Food for a kitchen feeding up to 45 kids a day.
  • Diapers, because a lot of these children are still babies.
  • Household supplies the home goes through every month.
  • A hand toward the building, which is the bigger fight described below.

The building

The building is half paid off.

With help from donors, we helped Dinora buy this building. Owning it means the home can finally be repaired and remodeled, and it needs a lot of both.

Full purchase price$800,000
Already paid$400,000
Still to raise, within three years$400,000

Half the price is already paid. The last $400,000 is due within three years, and every repair and remodel comes on top of that.

Children and volunteers in the playroom
Children playing in the yard
Children and volunteers on a blanket by the playground
Lunchtime in the dining room

Life at Hogar Luz de María. We cover the children's faces to protect their privacy.

Our sub-goal

Help pay off the last $400,000.

The building cost $800,000. Half is already paid. This fund goes straight at the $400,000 still owed.

The day-to-day care of the children stays with the Guatemalan team who've run Hogar Luz de María since 2004. We helped buy the building itself. This fund helps finish paying it off and fix it up. 100% of what you give here goes to the orphanage.

Give here and your gift goes to the building fund, on top of the food and supplies we already carry in. Beds and stoves for families in Yalú stay on the main donate page, and the two don't get mixed.

The building fund

Every dollar here goes toward buying the home.

Raised so far: $400,000Our goal: $800,000
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Your gift$0
Pick an amount to begin.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Lend a hand

Come help build and remodel the home.

Money isn't the only way in. There's real work to do on the building, and hands on the ground go a long way. If you're a contractor, know your way around a remodel, or just want to show up and help however you can, tell us. We'll reach out about the next trip.

No trade required. Willingness counts for a lot.

Sign up to help

We'll follow up about how you can pitch in.

Straight answers

Before you give to this one.

Does We Connect and Serve run the orphanage?

No. Hogar de Niños Luz de María is its own Guatemalan association, founded by Dinora Palacios in April 2004. We're a partner. We supply food, diapers and household goods, and now that we've helped buy the building, we're raising money to help pay off what's left.

Where does my gift on this page go?

To the building fund for Hogar Luz de María, kept separate from the bed and stove fund. If you'd rather fund a bed or a stove for a family in Yalú, use the main donate page instead.

Can I give to the orphanage directly?

Yes, and we'd encourage it. Hogar Luz de María takes donations through its own site. Giving here means your gift travels with our team and lands as part of the partner share.

Is this gift tax-deductible?

Yes. We Connect and Serve Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so gifts to the building fund are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Want to see the home for yourself?
Hogar Luz de María keeps its own site, in Spanish, with their history and their own donation page.

Visit hogarluzdemaria.org